Ten autumn/winter 2012 trends to wear now: In pictures

Ten autumn/winter 2012 trends to wear now: In pictures

London fashion week was less about blockbuster trends and more about wardrobe tweaks, beauty tips and an uplifting party mood. Here are the Observer's top 10 tips to try at home now. From the return of glitter, to clothes you won't get lost in

Helen Seamons

Tuesday 28 February 2012 10.54 EST
First published on Tuesday 28 February 2012 10.54 EST

Belt up

One trend that stood out at fashion week was a belt-cinched waist. Every exit at the Mulberry show (above) was styled with a skinny belt (you will definitely need one if you are thinking of going down the bulky muppet fur coat route). Unlike other trends, this involves little effort outside buying a belt/digging one out of your wardrobe and is easy to put in to practice asap. Get extra trend points with a bow belt (see Burberry), we love this pale green one, perfect for summer pastel looksBlack belt, £19.99, Zara,
zara.com. Green belt, £93, Cacharel from ASOS,
asos.com

It's time to party

Meadham Kirchhoff's tinsel-sequin-feather-boa-colour riot puts team fashion in the party mood. If you sat through this show and did not smile, shame on you. Let's forget the economic doom and gloom, pull on some glitter platforms and celebratePhotograph: Helen Seamons for the Observer

Wise up: wear an owl

At Burberry Prorsum the owl was the motif of the collection, and this is bound to explode on the high street come September. We say get your Blue Peter craft groove on and make your own. The owl has to be the easiest bird to draw. Use an old T-shirt or a plain American Apparel one as your base, draw on your owl with fabric pens. Leave it there, or embellish with wooden beads and buttons for the full homespun look. Easy!Photograph: Maurits Sillem

Award-winning wardrobe

Every season there is a new hero piece, and for autumn/winter 2012 it's set to be the trophy jumper. Get ahead of the game and start introducing them to your wardrobe now. To qualify for TJ status, your knit needs to have a substantial stitch, hue or eye-catching detail. The finest catwalk examples were at Jonathan Saunders, Christopher Kane and Pringle of Scotland Side zip, £195, Burberry Brit,
my-wardrobe.com, Cricket knit, £36,
Topshop.com

Pucker up

One of my favourite makeup trends from London was the explosion of glitter. OK, so a sparkle lip doesn't have a whole lot of catwalk-to-high-street crossover – more Starlight Express than Sainsbury's big shop. But glitter will be huge for winter. Start now with nail varnish: Barry M's pink iridescent is perfect for summer days. And if you're feeling brave, get the full glitter-lip look, as seen at Kinder Aggugini, with a temporary lip tattoo from
violentlips.comPhotograph: Catwalking.com

It's all about Topshop

Want to know where to shop on the high street for autumn/winter 2012? Topshop. Their Unique collection for the season is on fire. This was the first Unique outing under Kate Phelan's creative directorship, and boy did it show. It was filled with clothes every fashion editor wanted to wear right now, and everyone was talking about the velvet, crepe-backed jumpsuit. Best Topshop show in years. Fact

Glitter goddess

As already mentioned, glitter is big news for the upcoming season, and this soft, lilac eye at Maarten van der Horst is really easy to do now. It was the prettiest I saw in London and easy enough to recreate without looking like an extra from The Rocky Horror Show. Celebrity makeup artist Alex Byrne says: 'Sweep Barry M Shimmering Eye and Lip Crayon in violet all over your eyelid. Press some of the MAC pigment into Pixiwoo's Real Techniques shading brush, tap off excess, press into eyelid at outer corner and blend, blend, blend'MAC Pigment, £16.50,
maccosmetics.co.uk, Brush, £7.99,
boots.com, Eye crayon, £4.59, Barry M,
barrym.comPhotograph: Catwalking.com

Hair trend of the week

At Pringle of Scotland, hair stylist Paul Hanlon dip-dyed all the models' locks in hues that contrasted the collection. Simple yet effective, especially the lilac blonde against an orange coat. One to try at home, with the help of a steady-handed friendPhotograph: Helen Seamons for theObserver

A-Z fashion

Antipodium's show was packed with understated cool pieces that I am itching to get my hands on. As I have a fondess for all things map-related, this 'EastEnders' print by Chloe Constantinidi piqued my interest. If orienteering floats your boat, too, try this beautiful map dress from Carven, in store now Dress, £455,
my-wardrobe.com Photograph: Catwalking.com/PR

It's OK to eat chocolate

Any collection inspired by sweets is a winner in my book, and when those sweets are Quality Street and you are encouraged to eat them, Christmas-morning style, at 10am, so much the better. Anya Hindmarch, queen of quirky Brit charm, used the famous wrapper colours for her collection. This is one time I am happy to be left with the orange cream